Gov. Healey Expands Abortion Access

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed House Bill 5595, the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act, removing the state’s 24-week statutory limit on abortion. The law lets physicians authorize abortions later in pregnancy based on professional medical judgment, replacing the prior cutoff with broader provider discretion and legal protection. Supporters said the change is intended to keep patients facing serious pregnancy complications from having to leave Massachusetts for care. Massachusetts is now the 10th state, along with Washington, D.C., without a statutory gestational limit on abortion.